DeKalb Fire Department honors its own during annual awards program

January 18, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Fire Department recognized and honored a few of its own during the annual awards program held Saturday evening in a virtual setting this year due to COVID-19.

Two of the prestigious awards went to Lieutenant Dustin Johnson, who for the 3rd year captured the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year honor while Lieutenant Blake Cantrell was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award.

(WJLE will have another forthcoming story on other fire department award winners)

In presenting the Officer Award, Chief Donny Green paid tribute to Johnson for his leadership skills and community service.

“As one of our lieutenants and Fire Prevention/Safety Officer, Dusty Johnson continues to grow in his leadership skills and does a tremendous job leading, planning, coordinating, and scheduling free smoke alarm installations and providing fire prevention/safety events for our community. Lt. Johnson is among the top when it comes to incident responses and training attendance. He unselfishly donates his construction skills and equipment to make improvements to our department. Lastly, he sacrifices his time for community service. As a member of the DeKalb Emergency Services Association, he played a big role in helping plan, prepare, and deliver over 500 free meals last Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Dusty also serves our community in his role as Captain of the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad and he is also an active Emergency Medical Responder with DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services,” said Chief Green.

Captain Jay Cantrell then praised Lieutenant Blake Cantrell for his “Git-R-Done” commitment to the department.

“Lt. Cantrell continuously shares his technology skills and goes well beyond his required duties as Lieutenant and Communications Officer. He is always willing to take on new projects, stays on task, and is always prompt. He prioritizes training and call response while still doing all these extra things that makes our department better prepared to serve and respond. With his excellent information technology skills, Blake has gone above and beyond by maintaining our security equipment, text messaging system, radios, pagers, and computers, and installing video cameras in our county-wide fleet. As for community service, it would be hard to find anyone more involved in our community. Blake is a former President of the DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA) and has led many community service projects including the Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve meal preparation and delivery projects where over 500 meals were delivered on each occasion. Blake demonstrates the model of a “Git-R-Done” firefighter,” said Captain Cantrell.

Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the program.

January 18, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Animal Shelter has a cat named “Tom” available for adoption.

“Tom is about 8 months old. He has already been neutered and is up to date on his vaccinations. Tom is super friendly and has some beautiful markings down his back and side. He loves people and other cats. Tom is playful and will even get in your lap and give you kisses and hugs. We need to find him a good home preferably one with children because he would love to play with kids,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“We are still open by appointment only. Go to our website //www.dekalbanimalcoalition.org/ and look for the adoptable pets. You will see Tom’s picture there. Fill out an application and we will call you to set up an appointment to come in and meet him. His adoption fee is only $45 because our Friends organization has sponsored him,” Bennett said.

Meanwhile, if you need pet food for your cats and dogs be sure to stop by the shelter Friday, January 22 from 8 until 12 noon during a food pantry sponsored by the Friends organization. Please stay in your vehicle and someone will bring the food to you.

For more information call 615-597-3647 or send a message on facebook or email.

January 17, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The 2020 Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital Volunteer Firefighter of the Year is Steve Repasy, Station Commander of the Midway Station.

Repasy, who also claimed the award in 2018 and 2019, was honored Saturday night during the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Awards Program which was held in a virtual platform this year due to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Dusty Johnson Three-repeated as the Liberty State Bank Officer of the Year and Lieutenant Blake Cantrell was selected to receive the Allen’s Allstars “Git R Done” Award. The DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC) Rookie of the Year Award went to Jordan Lader of the Johnson’s Chapel Station and the Liberty Station received the FirstBank Station of the Year award.
Wilson Bank & Trust was the headlining sponsor of the banquet.

Repasy’s award was presented by Lieutenant Blake Cantrell.

In making the presentation, Cantrell said Repasy was selected from firefighters demonstrating excellence in training participation, incident response, and community service.

“Steve is willing to take on any project with a positive attitude. Whether it’s a work session, fire prevention/safety event, fundraiser, training, or fire call, you will see him there from start to finish. He does so much work behind the scenes that keeps our department running smoothly. As for his community service, Steve is very active in the Red Cross, the Smithville Lions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. He volunteers his time and skills to build wheelchair ramps, and reading to children at the library. DeKalb County Fire Department attempts to recognize firefighters who reflect a positive image of commitment and sacrifice to the department and our communities,” said Lt. Cantrell.

Walmart Length of Service Awards were presented to the following firefighters:

Five Years: Justin Bass of the Main Station, Lieutenant Blake Cantrell, Aaron Haggard of the Keltonburg Station, and Caleb Haggard of the Short Mountain Station

Ten Years: Andy Pack of the Belk Station

Twenty Years: Captain Jay Cantrell and Anthony Johnson of the Liberty Station

Forty Five Years: Wilson Williams of the Liberty Station

Captain Michael Lawrence presented Safe Industries Training Achievement Awards.

Members achieving 100% training attendance were: Charles Adcock, Brady Anderson, Dan Bradam, Vicki Bradam, Bill Brown, Lt. Blake Cantrell, Joshua Davis, Erick Dodd, Tim Graul, Chief Donny Green, Alyssa Harvey, Andrew Harvey, Donnie Johnson, Lt. Dusty Johnson, Capt. Michael Lawrence, Cindy Nixon, Andy Pack, Shawn Puckett, Brent Reed, Brittany Reed, Steve Repasy, Robert Sartin, Peyton Taylor, Capt. Brian Williams.

Members achieving 75% training attendance were: Matt Adcock, Justin Bass, Asst. Chief Anthony Boyd, Sandra Caffee, Capt. Jay Cantrell, Kim Cantrell, Gelasion “Marco” Chacon, Luke Green, Anthony Johnson, Jordan Lader, Harley Lawrence, Steven Lawrence, Tony Moore, Billy Parker, Cheyenne Phalin, and Stevie Powers.